Station Groups Team Up For Weekend Irene Coverage

Broadcasting & Cable has an interesting look today at coastal station groups teaming up to share resources and personnel for Hurricane Irene coverage. Local news outlets are operating on leaner budgets than ever, B&C points out, so helping hands from sister stations are appreciated, and even necessary, for effective reporting. And for some, coming to the aid of another station is returning a favor:

It’s a similar story in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia, where Virginia Beach, and perhaps other communities, is gearing up for a roundhouse punch. WTKR Norfolk President/General Manager Jeff Hoffman says he’s heard from most every GM in the Local TV group, asking how they can help. That includes WHNT Huntsville President/General Manager Stan Pylant, who received all manner of assistance within the group when his region was devastated by a tornado earlier this year.

“He was the first guy to raise his hand,” says Hoffman. “I thought that was great.”

B&C also reports that regional news directors at Raycom have been preparing for Irene with two phone conferences a day, and that representatives from six Media General stations in the Coastal Carolinas met last month to share best practices in the event of hurricanes. (Read our list of tips on hurricane reporting, complied from meteorologists, here.)

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